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Attorney and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Abbott was named the University of Maine’s interim athletic director by President Robert Kennedy at a Friday afternoon press conference.
Abbott will replace outgoing Athletic Director Blake James, who is leaving UMaine to take a position in athletic administration at the University of Miami in Florida. James will leave the position permanently on Sept. 7.
“I am delighted that President Kennedy has given me the opportunity to serve this institution — a place that has meant so much to me personally and that means so much to the entire state,” Abbott said in a statement. “Under his direction I intend to run an athletics program that will continue to reflect the values of the university, provide coaches with the support they need to win, and provide our students with an exceptional educational experience through sports.”
Abbott is an Orono native and a graduate of Harvard University, where he played quarterback on the football team and became the team’s captain. During his four years playing football at Orono High School, his teams went undefeated. Abbott served as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME, from 1997 to the end of 2009, just before he announced his candidacy for governor.
Abbott finished in fourth place in the Republican primary election for Maine governor in June 2010, garnering about 13 percent of the vote. Respectively, he finished behind Republican nominee Paul LePage, businessman Les Otten, and State Sen. Peter Mills.
“Political acumen is one of the things that President Kennedy thought was impressive about Steve – one of the many things,” UMaine spokesman Joe Carr said Tuesday.
Abbott’s father, Walter, recently retired from his position as a physical education and kinesiology professor at UMaine after a 50-year career at the university. He served at different times also as head football coach and athletic administrator.
“Steve exemplifies the characteristics I was looking for in an interim athletic director,” Kennedy said. ”He understands the nature of the University of Maine and its athletics department, having been so close to both for much of his life. He also brings integrity, intelligence and a real appreciation for the important role of an athletics operation within an academic community. I expect the university and Black Bear sports to benefit significantly from his leadership.”
In an April gubernatorial profile in The Maine Campus, Abbott said the University of Maine System “could offer better value” to its students, but praised the value of a state education in Maine. He also suggested that the university and community college systems combine many administrative duties.
Abbott’s first day on the job will be Sept. 6. The search for a permanent athletic director will take place after Kennedy’s replacement is chosen. Kennedy will leave his position on June 1. Abbott’s appointment is subject to approval by University of Maine System Chancellor Richard Pattenaude and the Board of Trustees.
Bangor Daily News